Several students left the Duke University graduation ceremony before Jerry Seinfeld’s speech on Sunday, apparently to show their disagreement with the Jewish comedian’s backing of Israel, as reported by news outlets and shared on social media.
While Seinfeld was receiving his honorary degree, the graduating students stood up and left, holding Palestinian flags and chanting “Free, free Palestine” before he began his speech. Some audience members supported the protest, while others booed and chanted “Jerry” in response.
After the Oct. 7 attack in Israel, Seinfeld publicly expressed his support for Israel and has spoken out against antisemitism. He also traveled to Tel Aviv in December to meet with family members of people being held hostage by Hamas.
In the commencement speech, Seinfeld avoided confronting the protesters, instead delivering a lighthearted speech with jokes and life advice for the graduating students.
The Duke walkout is just the latest example of protests on college campuses in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. Students on campuses throughout the country have expressed frustration with institutional support for Israel, with many calling for their schools to divest from groups that back Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
